Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1887-11-21
BUENA VISTA.
1t Is Reached by Fail by Our Mexican
Travellers.

IL AkSnCnCu ny IAN Our mexican
Travellers.
Special Correspondence
BUENA VISTA, Mex, Oct. 19.-The man
who Inns wife and makes his calculations
without her full consent and appreciation
builds his house on Il sandy foundation,
and when the thunters (of her elocuence,
and the floods (of her tears come where
is he and his houses
We were going to stop two days in Sal
tillo, which would have afforded us con
siderable amusement, combined with in
struction, but in an evil hour our fat
friend whose acquaintance we had made
on the cars, called upon us and told us
that he would take great pleasure in show
ing me all the sights of Saltillo, and
forthwith the blessed little woman decided
that we must go straight on to Buena
Vista, US there was nothing she cared
about i'll Saltillo, whereas everybody knew
that Buena Vista was q place full of
historical interest md she was going there
direct In vain the old gentleman told us
that this was tlN great outlet for the silver
and gold region, and that here could also
be seen some of the beautiful onyx which
is so famous. 1t took but one moment to
let him understand that she could see
moro onyx, and in prettier shape, at the
great jewclry shops in New York than all
Mexico contained, and as for gold and
silver, II report spoke right, she could see
all she wanted Of that where she was
going.
The old man fell back then upon the
natural scenery and the fact that this was
the best agricultural part of Mexico
raised moro corn, potatoes and cattle-but
she quickly replied that she didn't come
to Mexico to see dry corn stalks nor hear
statistics, and she wasn't going to stop in
Saltillo anyhow. The old man dug his
hands down deep in his pockets and looked
at me, but preserved discreet silence
and he sighed and went out, returning q
few minutes later with Il basket Of luscious
figs which he handed to me, but it was
captured on the way with the most
elusive thanks and promptly empticd
verify believe the dear little soul saw in
this harmless old statistician an arch enc
my, and feared that he intended to either
poison my body or soul, whereas he only
felt lonely and craved companionship.
So we all started, and without mishap
reached Saltillo, where he left us regret
fully, while we kept on our way There
IL little that is striking or very pleasant
IN Mexican scenery on this side, the
general appearance of the country being
so arid and sparsely covered with vegeta-
ton. The soil is for the most part rich
and arabic, but the lack of moisture must
ever be n drawback To agriculture and
even mining unless artcsian wells could
be sunk, although there is so called
river which runs by Monterey Saltillo
and Eucna Vista. In some seasons Of the
year there is probably fair supply of
water, though now there is little, and
that turgid and not good This empties
into the Rio Grande.
From Bucna Vista Won lave n view Of
the great range of mountains and from
here they look like n fairy dream; and yet,
as far as practical benefit is concerned,
there is little aside from the metals which
could tend 10 enrich the people. There is,
however, one natural means OF wealth, Il
the natives were not SO utterly abandoned
to chronic lazincss. The plant called
ixtlc, which is in such demand in America
for many uses, grows in IN abundance
that would greatly assist that country.
but there were but about 100000
pounds Of that fiber exported last year,
when the supply and demand have been
practically unlimited. The corn crop *
the main dependence OF the people, and
when that fails the people, forced hy hun
ger, will gather enough Of the ixtlc to
pay for corn enough from America to keep
them alive. More they 90 not care for.
Mi this belt of land lying between the
Rio Grande and the mountain range Is
mcasurably healthy, and foreigners feel
little i'll effect from residence there, Tut
the lower lands skirting the gulf coast
and those parts nearest TO Tehuantepes
arc especially dangerous.
EDWARD WHO.